Automatic engine-warming mechanism



Feb. 21, 195o C, E, LINCOLN y 2,497,948

AUTOMATIC ENGINE-WARNUNG MECHANISM 'Filed oct. 23, 1948 f n l Y mm iilllllmllllllllllllllllll f gl .El A

llll n JNVENToR. C21/"Zl E. areal/v nl 'Y www@ ATTORNEYS' Peienfea Feb. 21, 195o 2,497,948

UNITI-:o sTATEs PATENT forty-five per cent to Robert H. Holmes, Easton, Conn.

Application Gctober 23, 1948, Serial No. 56,150

19 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and an object is to provide an improved mechanism for maintaining the engine temperature above a predetermined minimum during normally idle periods whereby the engine is protected against freezing, ease of starting is maintained and other advantages gained.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a simple, dependable and inexpensive device for accomplishing the desired result, constructed and arranged to operate with conventional internal combustion engine systems without requiring any alterations therein other than the application of the present invention thereto. l

A further feature is the provision of an improved arrangement oi temperature responsive switch mechanism for controlling the ignition andy starter circuits independently of the usual manual switch whereby during normally idle periods the engine will be automatically started when the engine temperature reaches a predetermined minimum, and operation of the engine maintained until the temperature rises to a desired maximum, whereupon the ignition circuit is automatically broken and the operation terminated, the cycle being automatically repeated whenever conditions require.

A further feature of the invention is the provision in such a mechanism of a device arranged to prevent' its operation if the engine fails to start after a predetermined period of cranking by the starter motor, in order to prevent draining of the battery. Also, when the device is installed on an automotive vehicle a safety feature is included for preventing the device from operating under improper conditions, for example, when the transmission is in gear, or the like.

These and other objects and features are attained by the present invention, one specific embodiment of which is hereinafter described for the purposes of disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a temperature responsive circuit controlling mechanism constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the parts being shown in neutral or inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing in full lines the parts in the position occupied during operation of the engine starter motor.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the parts during running of the engine.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are partial sectionssimilar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, illustrating further modifications.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a device which can be easily installed either as original equipment or in existing systems for controlling the ignition and starter motor circuits of an internal combustion engine during normally idle periods for the purpose of preventing the engine temperature from falling below a predetermined minimum, by automatically starting the engine, and maintaining it in operation until its temperature reaches a desired maximum. whereupon operation is terminated until the temperature again falls to the minimum selected, whereupon the cycle of operations is repeated.

The device is arranged to operate entirely independently of the usual manual ignition switch,

such for example, as the lock switch on a motor car, and can be located so that the temperature responsive control is caused to function by temperature variations of the engine block, the cooling uid, the lubricating oil, the exhaust pipe or any other device which forms a gauge of the engine temperature.

The particular embodiment of the invention which is shown in the drawings comprises a metallic casing i I 4having a terminal I2 supported' thereon and connected through an insulating bushing i3 to a line I 4 leading to a source oi potential such, for example, as the storage battery Ma of a motor car. A similar terminal I5 is connected through an insulating bushing I6 with a line I'I leading to a starting motor I 'Ia of conventional arrangement. In a motor car system, for example, the connections described constitute a shunt circuit around the usual manually operated starter switch mechanism not shown. An insulating disk I8 is secured in the casing II below the battery and motor terminals. A second battery terminal I9 is mounted on the disk I8 and in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, is connected by a contact strip 2| to the battery terminal I2, or it may be connected directly to the battery circuit. An ignition circuit terminal 22 is also secured on the disk I8 and is connected to the ignition circuit 22a by connecting line 23.

As illustrated, the mechanism for controlling the various circuits comprises a switch mechanism including a contact plate 24 mounted on a centrally disposed vertically movable current conducting rod 25 extending slidably through the insulating disk I8 and a similar insulating disk 26 spaced below the disk I8. The rod and contact plate are movable to locate the plate in arcane 3 atartingpitionaashowninl'lg.2tocloseboth the ignition and starter circuits, into operating position as shown in Fig. 3 to open the starter circuit and close the ignition circuit only, and into neutral position as shown in Fig. 1 in which all circuits are open. A coil spring 21 is compressed between the contact plate 24 and the in- I sulating disk I to normally press the contact plate upwardly into the ilrst or starting position closing spring bears upon and is electrically connected to a current conducting spider 25 through which the ignition terminn zz extends and to which it is electrically connected. l

The mechanism includes a device for moving the rod 25 and contact plate 24 from the starting position into the operating lposition to disconnect the starter circuit and close the ignition circuit only when the associated engine is in operation. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, this mechanism includes a vacuum device connected through a line 3l with the engine manifold and comprising a port opening 32 in the 'insulating disk 26 communicating with the line 3l thereof to passage 33 in the disk so as to connect the line 3l with a vacuum cylinder 34 surrounding the rod 25 and supported on the disk 26. A piston 35 is secured to the rod 25 within the cylinder so that upon operation of the engine the pressure within the cylinder being reduced, the piston will be drawn downwardly to lower the rod 25 andxmove the contact plate 24 into operating position shown in Fig. 3, thus breaking the starter circuit while maintaining the ignition circuit closed.

The normal operation of the rod 25 and contact plate 24 is made responsive to temperature conditions by a thermostatic element which is automatically connected to the rod 25 to hold the contact plate 24 in neutral position when the engine is within a predetermined range. However, at a selected minimum temperature the thermostatic mechanism automatically disconnects itself from the rod 25 and plate 24 to permit movement of the contact plate under impulse of the spring 21 into the starting position shown in Fig. 2, thereby closing both the starter and ignition circuits and starting the associated engine. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the thermostat is in the form of a bellows 4l mounted in the bottom of the casing Il and including a vertically extending cylinder 42 which is moved vertically by expansion and contraction of the bellows 4I. Yieldable means for connecting and disconnecting the cylinder 42 to the r'od 25 consists, in the form illustrated, of an adjustable detent connection comprising detent balls 43 mounted in radial bores 44 in the cylinder 42 and yieldingly pressed by adjustable spring means 45 to seat in detent sockets 46 formed in the surface of an adjustable detent sleeve 41 threaded to the lower end of the rod 25.

A safety device is provided for protecting the enginebattery against being drained by continued operation of the startermotor should the engine fail to start for any reason. 'This safety device includes a thermostatic element which is actuated by heat ydeveloped in the starter cir-` both starter and ignition circuits. The

25. A helical spring I6 surrounds the rod and is compressed between the upper end 51 o! the cylinder socket and the bimetallic element 5I.

The ro'd 25 is rotatable by means of a knurled knob 56 secured to the upper protecting end thereof for adjusting the relative position of the detent sleeve 41, while the socket cylinder 54 can be adjusted on the rod by rotation of the cylinder. Fig. 5 illustrates a modiiledarrangement for moving the contact plate 24 downwardly into the second position upon operation of the engine to break the starter circuit while maintaining the ignition circuit closed. -In this modiilcation the operation is accomplished electromagnetically instead of by engine created vacuum. As illustrated, a solenoid coil 6I is supported between the insulating disks I6- and 26 and connected to a source of current which is actuated by operation of the associated engine, such as the conventional current generator 6la found on motor cars. In this case, the rod 25 constitutes and acts as the core of the solenoid to be drawn downwardly when the engine operates the generator to move the contact plate from the rst or starting position to the second or operating position.

Fig. 6 illustrates a further modication in which engine temperature controls the rod 25 by an electromagnetic mechanism in place of the bellows 4I. In the form shown, a solenoid coil 1I surrounds the lower end of a detent cylinder or sleeve 12 which acts as the core of the solenoid coil and is yieldingly pressed upwardly by a helical spring 13. The solenoid circuit 14 is connected to the battery 14a and is thermostatically controlled by a temperature responsive switch 15 including a bimetallic switch element 16 for rendering the solenoid active or inactive in accordance with temperature. Energizing the solenoid by closing the switch 15 in response to low engine temperature draws the sleeve 12 downwardly to break the detent connection with the rod 25 and free the plate 24 for movement.

move the rod 25 and contact plate 24 into neutral position.

A safety switch 18, or the like, see Fig. 1, is provided in the battery circuit for preventing operation of the device under improper conditions such, for example, as in the case of an automotive vehicle when the transmission is left in gear. The switch 18 can be actuated by a movable transmission member (not shown).

In operation, assuming engine temperature falls to a predetermined minimum at a time when .the engine is idle, the sleeve 42 in the case of the bellows 4l is drawn downwardly by contraction of thel bellows 4I, or the sleeve 12 in the case of the electromagnet 1I is drawn downwardly by operation of the solenoid 1l by closing of the thermostat switch 15. Downward movement of the associated sleeve breaks the detent connection with the rod 25. At this time, the bimetallic clip arms 52 engage the ridge 53 and hold the socket cylinder 54 in the position illustrated in full lines in which the helical spring 56 is compressed between the cylinder and the bimetallic member 5l and thus rendered ineffective, transmitting little or no pressure to the contact plate 2d.- Hence, breaking of the detent connection between the thermostatically controlled sleeve, 4I or 1 I and the rod 25 permits the spring 21 to snap the contact plate 24 upwardly into starting position as shown in F18. 2, thereby closing both the starter motor circuit from the battery terminal l2 through the contact plate 24 and starter circuit terminal !5, and at the same time closing the ignition circuit from the battery terminal |2 through contact plate 24, coil spring 21, conducting plate 28 to ignition line 23. Resulting operation of the starter motor starts the engine, whereupon the rod 25 is drawn downwardly either through the operation of the vacuum cylinder and piston 36, 35 or the operation of the solenoid Si, or the like. As a result, the rod 25 moves the contact plate 24 into the second or operating position illustrated in Fig. 3, breaking the starter motor circuit while maintaining the ignition circuit closed through battery terminal i9, contact plate 24, ignition circuit terminal 22, etc.

In the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the terminal 19a is connected to the generator Bla and the circuit of solenoid 8|. Resulting operation of the associated engine is maintained until -the temperature reaches a predetermined maximum at which point the bellows 4| for example, has expanded sufficiently to raise the sleeve 42 to a point where the detent balls 43 again engage in the recesses 45, whereupon further .expansion of the bellows 4| and corresponding raising of the cylinder 42 lifts the rod 25 and moves the contact plate 24 into neutral position as shown in Fig. 1, thus breaking the ignition circuit, and discontinuing operation of the engine until the temperature again drops to the predetermined minimum whereupon the cycle is repeated. In the case of the solenoid 1| the thermostat switch remains closed until the engine temperature reaches the selected maximum whereupon the switch opens, deenergizing the solenoid 1|, permitting the spring 12 to raise the sleeve 12 to reestablish the detent connection with the rod and raise the contact plate 24 into neutral position.

In the embodiment having the thermostatic bellows 4 I, it will be apparent that the exact temperature range, the limits of which effect operation of the device, can be varied by rotating the rod 25 to adjust the vertical position thereof relative to the threaded detent sleeve 41. Raising the sleeve 41 relative to the rod 25 raises the temperature range, requiring a greater expansion of the bellows 4| to reestablish the detent connection and position the contact plate 24 in neutrai to discontinue operation of the engine. Such adjustment also results in causing contraction of the bellows 4| upon cooling to break the detent connection and institute operation of the starter motor at a relatively higher temperature. Obviously, reverse rotation of the rod '25 will lower the temperature range controlling operation of the device.

On the other hand, in the embodiment having the thermostatic switch element 16 controlling the solenoid coil 1|, the temperature range can be varied by adjusting the relative position of the bimetallic switch element 15, for example by an adjusting screw 8|, the adjustment of which will vary the temperature at which the switch 15 is operated.

The invention also includes a device for protecting the battery |4a against draining should the engine fail to start after a reasonable period of cranking by the starter. This device is caused to operate as a result of the increase in temperature of the contact plate 24 which, in the position shown in Fig. 2, forms a part of the starter circuit whereby temperature of the plate will be raised by continued operation of the starter. The bimetallic element 5I is so constructed that increase in temperature transmitted thereto from the contact plate 24 spreads the clip arms 52 and releases the thus disconnecting the contact plate 24 from the cylinder 54 and freeing the helical spring 5I so that it can expand downwardly. The resulting downward pressure on the contact plate shifts it downwardly sulciently against the pressure of the spring 21 to move the plate into neutral position and break the starter and ignition circuits. Under these conditions, the contact plate oats in neutral position between the helical spring 55 and the coil spring 21 and the device will be rendered inoperative until it is again manually set by pressing the knob 51 downwardly, in turn pressing the cylinder 54 downwardly against the clips 52 and reestablishing the connection of the clip arms with the cyiin'der holding ridge 52.

The present invention can be provided as original equipment in a control system for an internal combustion engine, or it can be easily installed in existing systems. The construction is sturdy and includes no delicate parts which might be easily damaged or put out of adjustment. It is entirely automatic and will effectively prevent engine temperature trom going below the selected minimum, while automatically terminating the operation of the engine when it has reached a suiliciently warm temperature.

The invention can, of course, be variously modifled and adapted and portions thereof can be used without others.

I claim:

1. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising circuit closing means movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operat ing position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, and into neutral l position to disconnect all controlled mechanism for causing said circuit closing means to snove into said engine starting position or into said neutral position in response to predetermined variations in the temperature of said engine, and means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said circuit closing .means into said operating position.

2. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, temperature controlled mechanism for causing said contact member to move into said engine starting position or into said neutral position in response to predetermined variations in the temperature of said engine, and means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said contact member into said operating position.

3. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a. source of rpotential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuits, temperature holding ridge 5l on the socket cylinder 54,'

circuit only and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, temperature controlled mechanism -for causing said contact member to move into said engine starting position or into said neutral position in response to predetermined variations in the temperature of said engine,

means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said contact member into said operating position, and means responsive to prolonged operation of said starter circuit for causing said contact member to move into neutral position.

4. A control -for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, temperature controlled mechanism for causing said contact member to move into said engine starting position or into said neutral position in response to predetermined variations in the temperature of said engine, means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said contact member into said operating position, and means responsive to heat produced by lrprolonged operation of said starter circuit for causing said contact member to move into neutral position.

5. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, means for yieldingly urging said contact member into said engine starting position to start said engine, means for rendering said yielding means ineffective under a predetermined engine condition, a thermostat responsive to a predetermined low temperature to render said yielding means operative to move said member into said starting position, means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said member into said operating position, and means whereby said thermostat renders said yielding means ineffective and moves said contact member into neutral lposition in response to a predetermined high temperature to terminate operation of said engine.

6. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to connect said source of potential to both said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, means for yieldingly urging said contact member into said engine starting position to start said engine, means 'for rendering said yielding means ineffective under a predetermined engine condition, a thermostat responsive to a predetermined low temperature to render said yielding means operative to move said member into said starting position, means actuated by operation of said engine for moving said member into said operating lposition, means whereby said thermostat renders said yielding means ineiective and moves said contact member into neutral position in response to a predetermined high temperature to terminate operation of `said engine, and-means actuated by heat generated in said starter circuit by prolonged operation thereof for positioning said contact member in neutral.

7. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starterA circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact mem1 ber movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to clos'said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, a thermostat, means controlled thereby for moving said member into -starting position to start said engine on reaching a predetermined low temperature, means responsive to the engine operation to move said member into operating position to break said starter circuit and close said ignition circuitto maintain engine operation, and means responsive to operation of said thermostat upon a predetermined increase in engine temperature to move said member into said neutral position and terminate operation of said engine.

8. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, a thermostat, yieldingmeans controlled thereby for moving said member into starting position to start said engine on reaching a predetermined low temperature, means responsive to the engine operation to move said member into operating position to break said starter circuit and close said ignition' circuit to maintain engine operation, and means responsive to operation of said thermostat upon a predetermined increase in engine temperature to move said member into said neutral position and terminateoperation of said engine.

9. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuit only, into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, means for controlling the position of said contact plate including a plate supporting rod, a temperature-responsive mechanism including a sleeve movable axially of said rod, means for connecting said sleeve and rod for simultaneous movement to position said plate in neutral position when the temperature of said engine reaches a predetermined temperature, and for disconnecting said rod from said sleeve when said sleeve is moved in response to a determinate decrease in engine temperature, and means for moving said contact plate into said starting position t0 start said engine when said rod is disconnected from said sleeve.

10. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuits only, into neutral position to disconnect all circuits, means for controlling the position of said contact plate including a plate supporting rod, a temperature actuated-member having a. movable sleeve and responsive to temperature variations for moving said sleeve axially of said rod, means for connecting said sleeve and rod for simultaneous movement to position said plate in Aneutral position when the temperature of said engine reaches a predetermined temperature, and for disconnecting said rod from said sleeve when said sleeve is moved in response to a determinate decrease in engine temperature, and means for moving said contact plate into said starting position to start said engine when said rod is disconnected from said sleeve, said connecting means being adapted to reconnect said rod and sleeve on a predetermined increase in engine temperature to position said contact plate in neutral and terminate engine operation.

11. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position in which all circuits are open, means for yieldingly holding said contact member in said engine starting position, and temperature controlled mechanism for holding said contact member in said neutral position to prevent operation of the engine over a selected temperature range including means adapted to release said contact member for movement by said yielding means to close said circuits at a predetermined low temperature.

12. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position in which all circuits are open, means for yieldingly holding said contact member in said engine starting position,

. temperature controlled mechanism for holding said contact member in said neutral position to prevent operation of the engine over a selected temperature range including means adapted to release said contact member for movement by said yielding means to close said circuits at a predetermined low temperature, and means responsive to engine operation to cause said contact member to move into said operating position.

13. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operating position to close said ignition circuit only, and into neutral position in which all circuits are open, means for yieldingly holding said contact member in said engine starting position, temperature controlled mechanism for holding said contact member in said neutral position to prevent operation of the engine over a selected temperature range including means adapted to release said contact member for movement by said yielding means to close said circuits at a predetermined low temperature, means responsive to engine operation to cause said contact member to move into said operating position, and means actuated by overheating of said contact member in response to prolonged operation of said starter circuit to move said contact member into neutral position.

14. A control for internal combustion engines, including ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact member movable into engine starting position to close said ignition and starter circuits, into engine operand into neutral position in which all circuits are open, means for yieldingly holding said contact member in said engine starting position, temperature controlled mechanism for holding saidV contact member in said neutral position to prevent operation of the engine over a selected temperature range including means adapted to release said contact member for movement by said yieldingly means to close said circuits at a predetermined low temperature, means responsive to engine operation to cause said contact member to move into said operating position, means actuated by overheating produced by prolonged operation of said starter circuit for moving said contact member into neutral position including a spring adapted toengage vsaid contact member to so move it, and means normally rendering said spring inoperative including a thermostatic spring holding device adapted to release said spring upon a predetermined rise in the temperature of said contact member.

15. A control for internal combustion engines having ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate, a reciprocable plate supporting rod movable to selectively position said plate in engine starting position to connect said source of potential to said ignition and starter circuits, or in engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, or in neutral position to disconnect all circuits and terminate operation of said engine, means for yieldingly pressing said contact plate into engine starting position, means actuated by operation of the engine for moving said rod to shift said plate into engine operating position, a thermostatically controlled member movable in the direction of the rod axis, temperature-responsive means for moving said member in response to variations in engine temperature, and detent means adapted to connect said member to said rod to cause said rod to move said contact plate into neutral position and to disconnect said members from said rod when said temperature-responsive means is actuated by a predetermined low temperature to permit said yielding means to press said plate into engine starting position.

16. A control for internal combustion engines having ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate, a reciprocable plate supporting rod movable to selectively position said plate in engine starting position to connect said source of potential to said ignition and starter circuits, or in engine operating position to connect said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, or in neutral position to disconnect all circuits and terminate operation of said engine, means for yieldingly pressing said contact plate into engine starting position, vacuum operated means actuated by operation of the engine for moving said rod to shift said plate into engine operating position, a thermostatically controlled member mov-able in the direction oi the rod axis, temperature-responsive means for moving said member in response to variations in engine temperature, and detent means adapted to connect said member to said rod to cause said rod to move said contact plate into neutral position and to disconnect said member from said rod when said temperature-responsive means is actuated by a predetermined low temperature to permit said yielding means to press said plate into engine starting position.

17. A control for internal combustion engines ating position to close said ignition circuit only, having ignition and starter circuits and a source anemie the engine for moving said rod to shift said plate into engine operating position-a thermostatically controlled member movable in the direction oi the rod axis, temperature-responsive means for moving said member in response to variations in engine temperature, and detent means adapted to connect said member to said rod to cause said rod to move said vcontact plate into neutral position and to disconnect said member from said rod when said temperature-responsive means is actuated by a predetermined low temperature to permit said yielding means to press said plate into engine starting position.

18. A control for internal combustion engines having ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate, a reciprocable plate supporting rod movable to selectively position said plate in engine starting position to connect said source of potential to said ignition and starter circuits. or in engine oper- 1 ating position to connect' said source of potential to said ignition circuit only, or in neutral position to-disconnect all circuits and terminate operation of said engine, means for yieldingly pressing said contact plate into engine starting position, means actuated by operation of the engine for moving said rod to shift said plate into engine operating position, a thermostatically controlled member movable in the direction ot the rod axis, temperature-responsive means for moving said member in response to variations in engine temperature, and detent means adapted to connect said member to' said rod when said temperature-responsive means is actuated by a predetermined high temperature to cause said rod to move said contact plate into neutral position to terminate operation of the engine, and to disconnect said member from said rod when said temperature-responsive means is actuated by a predetermined low temperature to permit said yielding means to press said plate into engine starting position.

i9. A control for internal combustion engines e having ignition and starter circuits and a source of potential, comprising a contact plate. a reciprocabls plate supporting rod movable to selectively position said plate in engine starting position to connect said source of potential to said ignition and starter circuits, or in vengine operating position to connect said source oi potential to said ignition circuit only, or in neutral position to disconnect all circuits and terminate operation of said engine, m for yieldingls7 pressing said contact plate into engine starting position, means actuated by operation of the engine for movingsaid rod to shift said plate into engine operating position, a thermostatically controlled member movable in the direction of the rod axis, temperature-responsive means for ,movingsaid member in response to variations RCES CITED The following references are oi record in the ille oi' this patent:

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